Call for Art! Artists and creators of all ages, mark your calendars! If you live in the Morongo Basin and have an interest in recycling, repurposing, and reimagining, now is your opportunity to share your artistic transformations at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum’s 20th annual recycled art exhibition, this year titled, “Wondrous Waste.” To see a list of the Rules and Regulations for the exhibition, please click here.
Entries from Morongo Basin artists can be brought to the Museum from March 11-14, 2026. Entries from artists outside the Morongo Basin will be accepted March 14th if space is available.
The exhibition, “Wondrous Waste: 2026 Recycled Art Exhibition,” will run from Saturday, March 21 through Saturday, May 9, 2026.
For additional information, please contact Collections & Exhibits Coordinator Charlie Rossow at 760-369-7212 or crossow@yucca-valley.org.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Discover the FUN in the fundamentals of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math with hands-on art projects that promote lateral thinking and enhance creativity. See abstract ideas come to life through interactive activities that aim to heighten comprehension of core STEAM subjects and highlight interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving.
The workshop is $15 per participant and registration is required. These workshops fill up fast, so early registration is highly recommended! Click here to register!
Saturday, March 28, 2026
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome!
Free, registration not required.
Artists, their friends and family, and the public is welcome at this free artist reception celebrating the numerous artists featured in the Wondrous Waste: 2026 Recycled Art Exhibition!
Visitors’ Choice Awards will be displayed and all visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments as they peruse the artwork and enjoy lively conversation with the artists.
Voting for Visitors’ Choice takes place during normal operating hours Saturday, March 21 – Friday March 27, 2026 in the Museum.
Ages 7-9 years-old
March 25-27, 2026 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day
$50 per camper
This spring, let your child’s curiosity blossom! Our three-day Jr. Naturalist Camp invites kids to become explorers of the natural world through hands-on adventures at the museum and beyond.
Spaces are limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, click here.
Ages 10-13 years-old
April 1-3, 2026 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day
$50 per camper
This spring, let your child’s curiosity blossom! Our three-day Jr. Naturalist Camp invites kids to become explorers of the natural world through hands-on adventures at the museum and beyond.
Spaces are limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, click here.
Image Artwork: Nature’s Windmill Mandala by Julia Briest
Wondrous Waste showcases innovative works created from recycled, reused, and/or repurposed materials. Open to artists of all ages, the exhibition features a wide range of mediums, including sculpture, painting, mixed media, fashion, and installation art. Each piece demonstrates how discarded objects can be transformed into thoughtful, visually striking works, highlighting both creativity and environmental responsibility.
By bringing together emerging youth artists and experienced professionals, Wondrous Waste celebrates diverse perspectives and encourages sustainable thinking through art. Visitors are invited to explore how imagination can give new life to everyday materials while considering the impact of recycling in their own lives.
Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave,was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Would you like to make a donation? Museum staff are happy to accept your donation in person or you can click the link below to be taken the Recreation Management portal to complete an online donation. Simply click on the green Museum tab, then Museum Sponsorship, and select your donation level. Your donations help fund children’s education programming, animal caretaking, exhibit maintenance, and so much more! Thank you for your kind donation!
Wed – Sat: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Closed Federal Holidays
© 2025 Hi-Desert Nature Museum is administered by the Town of Yucca Valley.
Member of American Association of Museums, Western Museum Association and California Museum Association